I Found You

43.

• Vikram •

My eyes fluttered open as a dull ache shot through my shoulder. The first thing that came in my view was her peaceful face, bathed in the soft glow of dim lights.

She was nestled against me, her hot breath fanning my neck as her head rested on my shoulder. Her arm was draped across my torso, holding me close, while our legs were tangled together.

Carefully, I shifted beneath her, trying not to wake up her. I lifted her head from my shoulder, slowly, to place it on the pillow.

Her burrow furrowed slightly as she sensed the movement. A soft sigh escaped her lips, and she stirred, her eyes fluttering open, still heavy with sleep.

Her gaze found mine, and a sleepy smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, as she shot me a look even through in her sleep.

Without a word, she shifted, moving her head back to its rightful place on my chest
and her arm tightened around me, pulling me closer as she burrowed her face against my chest.

I rested my hand on her back, tracing lazy circles with my fingertips over the fabric of my t-shirt she was wearing.

"Good morning," I murmured, my voice rough with sleep. "Hmm" she replied, her voice a hoarse whisper.

Tightening my arm around her, I brushed my lips against the top of her head. "How are you feeling now?"

"Hmm," she murmured, nuzzling closer.

"Still sleepy?" I asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear with my free hand.

"Hmm," she hummed once again.

I let the silence stretch between us, giving her the space she needed. After a minute I asked again. "Do you think, you'll need a pill?"

Her eyes fluttered open and she stared at a spot in the distance, her mind seemingly lost in thought, before she slowly lifted her head to meet my gaze.

"Kuch hua toh tha nahi." She whispered, her voice hoarse. Her eyes shining with unshed tears, searched mine.

Reaching out, I cupped her face gently in my hand, my thumb tracing the curve of
her cheekbone softly. "Nahi hua, toh ho jayega, meri jaan."

A single tear escaped her eyes, rolling down
her cheek before it landed on my chest as she lowered her eyelashes, avoiding looking into my eyes.

"Hey," I guided her head back onto the pillow as I turned on my side to face her.

"Adhira, baby, what happened?" She shook her head, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled in a cracking voice. "I couldn't last night."

"Are you serious?" I asked with a slight edge of disbelief in my tone.

I lifted her chin, forcing her to look at me, before continuing. "You only said na, it's just you and me? Learning together?"

"Han?" She nodded, her tears falling freely now. "And maybe it was me, doing wrong. Why are you taking it all on yourself?" I asked, while she blankly blinked at me.